CBP Seizes Shipment Of Unapproved Medications, Steroids From China

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport recently seized a shipment from China containing thousands of doses of unapproved medications.

CBP said its Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team at O’Hare intercepted the shipment, which was destined for Syracuse, N.Y., and found it contained 10,412 tablets and 2,144 vials of unapproved medications, human growth hormones, and steroids.

The agency said the package was an example of a shipping method known as a master carton smuggling scheme, in which a single shipment contains many smaller, unmanifested, shipments. The smaller, unmanifested shipments were prelabeled with shipping labels to be sent through a domestic carrier to the intended recipients.

The shipment contained a variety of unapproved medications, including some used to treat serious conditions such as cancer. The shipment also contained vials of Human Growth Hormone, weight-loss medications, steroids, and erectile dysfunction drugs.

“The illegal importation of unsafe or unregulated prescription drugs like these are known to pose a significant risk to patients and consumers,” said Chicago Field Office’s Acting Director of Field Operations Michael Pfeiffer. “CBP is responsible for ensuring that all goods entering and exiting the United States do so in accordance with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations. Our CBP officers and agriculture specialists in Chicago consistently showcase their quality training and commitment to the CBP mission. They are exceptional at what they do and are part of the best frontline defense in the world.”

The seized shipment was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations.